Feed the Clan [OPEN Hunting]

Patrols had just been assigned, and Wolfstar was happy to be leading a hunting patrol toward the creek. It was quite early, just after sunrise... And the leader wasn't bothered in the slightest by this fact. "I hope you all slept well, because there's prey to catch. And it doesn't sound like the birds are very restful." Her own voice was almost as cheerful as the birdsong that filled the trees as she led the patrol through the territory. The sun wasn't even above the tree line, but the day was shaping up to be a warm one. Best to do their hunting now before the day grew warmer than it already was.

Ospreypaw chuckled at the leader's words, though she was definitely not as awake as the birds. A yawn crossed her muzzle and her long fur stuck up rather messily. Still, she had to agree it was better to get up early and avoid the heat. It was nice being out in the forest this early and their prey seemed to think so too. The apprentice drifted a few foxlengths from the group, ears pricked forwards to track the sound of rustling feathers. She spotted a fat thrush scratching for seeds and crept close to pounce. The thing stayed oblivious practically until her paws were dropping down on it for an easy catch. "Heh, nice one. Dumb bird." She grinned and snuck a peek at Wolfstar, hoping the leader would notice her hunting skills. Warrior name any day now, right?

Ospreypaw attempts to catch a bird. Success!

The member 'Triangle' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 1

Wolfstar's whiskers twitched in amusement as she glanced back at Ospreypaw. The apprentice looked like she'd just rolled out of her nest, fur messy and a yawn escaping her. Her clanmates definitely weren't morning cats, by any stretch. Her attention returned to their surroundings, intent on finding prey.

Movement off to her side caught her attention, and the leader smiled at the apprentice's successful catch. "Well caught, Ospreypaw." It was good to see that success, hopefully it would continue as the patrol continued on. "How has training been going, for you?" She asked, glancing back toward the apprentice. It was hard to believe just how much had happened since returning to Skyclan territory from the mountains, and it was time to become more in tune with her clanmates again.

Spotting bright feathers in the trees, Wolfstar carefully leapt from branch to branch, dropping down on the bird from above. A quick swipe of her heavy paw was enough to claim the prey for their fresh kill pile, and Wolfstar turned, pale gaze searching the forest once more.

"Thanks." Ospreypaw beamed at the praise, stashing the bird for the patrol to pick up later after they'd hopefully caught more. "It's great! Stormwatcher's been teaching me some more advanced battle moves, though I think he's pretty busy dealing with Hickorypaw." She tried not to let too much frustration slip into her laugh. The younger apprentice's attitude was definitely... something. His behavior towards Stormwatcher just seemed bizarre. How could anyone not like her mentor? "I've learned so much from Stormwatcher. He's been there for me since-" She cut herself off. There was no need to recount all the cats Skyclan had lost. Surely Wolfstar weighed the deaths as heavily as anyone. Still, there was one cat that remained with her through it all. Without realizing it she'd made a true friend as a kit, in their home by the lake, and since then Stormwatcher had protected her through everything. Now that her siblings and Honeydew were gone he'd become all the family she had left.

Ospreypaw blinked watery golden eyes, surprised how emotional she'd suddenly become "Thank you, for pairing us together. I really couldn't as for a better mentor." The apprentice smiled genuinely at Wolfstar before turning away again. She cleared her throat and quickly ran her tongue over her shoulder to smooth down the messy fur. "Well, anyways, there's more prey to catch- got to feed the clan, right? I think there's a burrow over there." She gestured towards the stream, trying to shift the conversation back to more casual topics. Hopefully Wolfstar wouldn't mind her momentary loss of focus, but they weren't done hunting yet.

"I'm glad to hear that. Stormwatcher's definitely turned things around and become a fine warrior in his own right." Wolfstar grinned. Gone were the days of having to prod him into doing even the simplest tasks, and he was a loyal warrior too. Perhaps more headstrong than Wolfstar would like... But no cat was perfect.

"Hickorypaw... Is a pawful. He will grow out of it." She prayed. "He just needs a steady paw to guide him, I think." Stoneheart had been accompanying some of their training sessions, and Wolfstar was planning on similar. It had been a while since she'd kept up with the apprentices as she wished to, that needed to change.

Blue eyes softened as Ospreypaw seemed to grow emotional. "Things have been... A lot, haven't they? It's important that we can rely on our clanmates." From Paledove and Thornstalker to Birdstar and Beechfang, to Sunfire and Myrtlebloom and all those lost between. "They're watching over us, though." Wolfstar liked to think that those who had gone before were watching over them. Knew they were, and if they weren't proud of the decisions she had made, at least they could be proud of the cats who still moved forward despite everything.

"...Right, back to it, then." If the apprentice did not wish to talk, she would not force the conversation in that direction. Wolfstar turned her gaze toward toward the burrow Ospreypaw had spotted, carefully leaping to a branch that would have a better view of whatever came out of it.

Ospreypaw nodded along as the leader spoke, feeling oddly thoughtful. "Maybe he has a lot more in common with Stormwatcher than he thinks." She chuckled. A rocky start, but potential to grow. She did try to see the best in her clanmates. Even knuckleheads like Hickorypaw deserved the benefit of the doubt.

She kept one ear swiveled back to listen as she tracked over to the potential hunting spot. Somehow Wolfstar always seemed to know what to say. "Yeah... I'm sure they are." The apprentice snuck a glance up towards the foliage at the beams of sunlight and blue sky peeking between the leaves. It was far to early to see the stars, but she imagined them there for a moment and smile slightly. It was nice to think her family was still keeping an eye on her. I promise I'll make them proud. Ospreypaw turned back to the hunt with new focus, determined to keep her word.